I have been job searching for awhile now.  The contract I was on expired at the beginning of November and I have been looking for work since.  Now Jesus has been especially generous to my family during this time.  The Holy Spirit has provided great wisdom and discipline in regards to budgeting and learning to be more efficient in our living, a part-time job delivering Newspapers in the morning has balanced out where our budget was lacking.  Which was a huge answer to prayer as the Lord has not opened a door for full-time work and I did not want to be the guy mentioned in 1 Tim 5:8 “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” So, in all this I have been patiently waiting on he Lord and sending out resumes and cover letters.  After hearing a Q&A with John Piper about resumes, and a comment a friend made after reading mine; it really got me thinking about how prideful a resume can be.  The whole thing is taking what the Lord has given you (jobs, education, experience, blessings) and turning them all to be about you.  Which I understand in one sense is the point in a resume, but recruiters and companies are asking you to send them something that they will read, and I’m using that window of opportunity to only talk about myself.  This thought has stay with me for a few weeks, and I didn’t act.  In fact I specifically stopped handing out resumes and cover letters.  But this was laziness, and I needed to follow through on my convictions.  So below is an excerpt from my current cover letter, this is the second paragraph after I explain the job I’m applying for, and before I jumped into my previous experience and what not.

While I do not seek to boast or place my trust in the accomplishments outlined in this cover letter and resume I hope to explain what the Lord Jesus Christ has placed in my hands and mind to do.  God is a worker and I was created in his image (Gen 1:26, 2:15). I have not always lived how I have been called to live, but Christ saved me from this and much more and now I know that I do not work for man, but for Christ (Col 3:17, 22-24).

Is it a full gospel presentation, no. Does it walk through the finer details of Law and Grace, no.  But it briefly explains, God, Sin, Forgiveness, repentance, renewal, and transformation and that Jesus is Lord.

Now has this produced any leads?  No, and I’m not trying to play a religious card in hoping that another Christian sees it and then hires me because I follow Christ either.  This is to present the Gospel in a manner that lines up with the intended purpose of the documents its sent with.  Its just one more way to present the gospel of Jesus Christ in everything we do, also it really helps kill pride!

P.S. Jesus has a plan, he is the provider king, and I am waiting.  I’ve prayed that he would only open the doors that I am to walk through, and not waste the time I have been given chasing false leads and hoping in interviews that go nowhere.  So the fact that my resume has drawn no leads what so ever, means there is either a glaring mistake that somehow insults every reader, or God is sovereign and I am waiting for him to open doors. (and if its the door I think might be opening, I’m going to be doing college ministry from the inside, something to pray about)

~ Brad Young

First of all let me say that I am resistant to start a blog, not that I don’t have a lot of ideas or opinions, in fact I have too many.  I wouldn’t even say that is bad in of itself, its just that I tend to think my ideas are really good, all the time, and that’s pride.  So to combat my pride I have resisted blogging since I had a friend first mention it years ago, after a rather long “religious” conversation.  But, I realize in my “defeating pride” I am just being proud and lazy.  I still think my ideas are the best, but I’m too lazy to type them out, and not willing to take a rebuke if I go off on tangents.

So, this is the starting point, please rebuke me if necessary, as critics can be the best coaches, and lets open this up with some prayer.

Jesus, make your name known.  I ask, Lord remove my thoughts and ideas, and let the words you’ve given me come out unstained by the ridiculous desires of my heart.  Lord, who am I, but a sinner saved by your grace.  I do not deserve to know you, I have done nothing to seek you, and often I have resisted your undeniable presence in my life.  Forgive me again, and let this be a place where the work and words you are accomplishing reign.  Let me be a mouth crying out in the wilderness, for you and only you Jesus.

Amen

~ Brad Young

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Leaving the ninety-nine for the one

Bookmark our ministry calendar to continue praying for our local missions

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--Canada needs Christ.

We praise God for overseas missionaries who are taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. But as you look across your own community and country, there is also lots of missions work to be done locally for the Lord right here at home.

If you agree that Canada Needs Christ, will you pray about giving to our great cause of sharing the Gospel? A gift of even $25/month would result in at least 2 people every week receiving the Gospel, a Bible, and church follow-up information. Your gift will literally keep giving the Gospel again and again right here in Canada!

Click here to donate to our mission in Canada

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We again thank God for you and your partnership in the Great Commission.

In Christ Alone,

The Cross Current Team

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Follow TCC on Twitter

Subscribe to this newsletter

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These simple outreach resources will allow you to witness to your loved ones using the same basic tools that our field reps use throughout the production of each radio series.

“The Spirit of Pride” – July 2010 | Producer’s Notes & Listener’s Script

Follow the simple download instructions below to access these TCC Radio outreach resources. We pray they will help you make the most of reaching out to those who are hopelessly lost in this demonic and deceptive lifestyle.

Homosexuality – Producer’s Notes (Download: Right-click, “Save as”)

Producer’s Notes presented by: Kevin Lane – TCC Radio writer & producer

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Homosexuality – Listener’s Script (Download: Click, save, and print)

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Taking Our Witness TO the Xstream!

The XTM Toronto 2010 Local Missions Team

On Saturday May 15th, The Cross Current lead a team of fifteen witnessing warriors into the heat of battle in the heart of Canada’s largest and most multicultural city.

We set up our “salvation station” on Yonge and Dundas in downtown Toronto and we praise God that He allowed thousands of lost souls to receive Gospel tracts and hear the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ through the one-to-one witnessing and open air preaching of our local missions team.

Left: “Lazarus” lays it down to draw a crowd before Cory preaches open air

Watch video highlights from XTM Toronto 2010

TCC exists to unify the Church in the Gospel and help pastors equip all Christians under their care to be Christ’s witnesses. That’s why every Xstream Team Mission (XTM) is conducted in partnership with a qualified local church. Special thanks to Ryan Sinclair for joining us in the field and representing Morningstar Christian Church as our partner church for this event.

Here are a few testimonial tidbits from several first-time XTM attendees who joined us in TO:

Planting seeds in the Lord’s field with not only Cory and his team, but other evangelists, was the best day I think I ever had in my life. ~ John B.

The harvest is ready but the laborers are few. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Handing out tracts in downtown Toronto reminded me of the urgency of the Gospel. ~ Mike B.

Right: Mike (L) and John (R) give God thanks for a great day of Gospel outreach in downtown Toronto

May 15th 2010 is a day that will have a lasting effect on my life and Christian witness. God convicted me that I needed to be faithful in presenting the Gospel and praying for these individuals and leaving the rest up to him. ~ Duane C.

I’m not an eloquent speaker with the art of persuasion, but I do have the truth. In spite of me, God will use His truth to speak to people. All that He requires of me is to be faithful and obedient.” ~ Ange S.

Left: Ange takes the time to share the Good News with a fast-talking Torontonian

What a great day. The need is truly great in preparing the ground (prayer) and planting the seed (witnessing). I find it hard to explain, but say I believe it is “the joy of the Lord.” ~ Bill D.

Right: Bill listens to the spiritual views of a passerby before sharing the Gospel

Read full XTM Toronto 2010 testimonials

Check out the XTM Toronto 2010 Photo Album

Is God calling you to step out in faith to take your life and witness to the xstream? Then plan on joining the team for these other XTM teams of 2010:

XTM Canada Day

July 1st

London, ON

XTM Niagara Falls

July 24th

Niagara Falls, ON

XTM Barrie

August 13th and August 14th

Barrie, ON

XTM St. Thomas

September 25th

St. Thomas, ON

Click here to submit your application today

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Here Comes the Bride!

The Church. Who or what is the Bride of Christ and what is her purpose in the here and now? What is it about “going to church” that gets people so excited about inviting others to join them? Is a church a social club or a community program? Or is there something that makes those faithful Sunday morning worshipers really different than everyone else? Does the Church really need to entice people to visit? Join TCC as we take you on a humbling journey to discover the truth about God’s family.

Maximize your witness with your loved ones using our Producer’s Notes and Listener’s Resources for this series

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Experience Eight Episodes of TCC TV!

Eight exciting episodes of TCC TV are available online now!

Highlights of these encounters in everyday evangelism include: going with the Gospel Outreach “GO” Team of Harvest Bible Chapel London, fishing at farmers markets, storefront soul-winning, open air Gospel preaching on Good Friday, and more!

Remember: the clips are raw, the conversations are real…but TCC TV promises to help you experience what happens when we step out in faith to share our faith together for God’s glory.

Experience TCC TV now!

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Equipping the Saints

The Bible says that God gave evangelists to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. Our Witnessing Workshops are designed to help Christ-followers leverage our experience in the local mission field to “normalize” sharing their faith in all their personal relationships and beyond.

This month TCC had the privilege of conducting life and witness training at two special venues:

Teen Challenge Farm

Teen Challenge (TC) is a 12-month, faith-based, residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. The Cross Current has the privilege of facilitating the students at TC with hands-on life and witness training twice a year. The training this past month took place over two Wednesdays nights and we are very pleased to report that not only did four TC students join us for XTM Toronto, but several more are also scheduled to take the training to the streets of London with us as well.

All Ontario Youth Convention

Every year the All Ontario Youth Convention brings together over 800 youth from all over Ontario for a full four days of fun, excitement, and opportunity to learn more about God. This year Cory McKenna was invited onsite to share TCC’s new one-hour witnessing workshop. Believe it or not, it is possible to learn how to become a more biblical, confident, and effective seed sower in just sixty minutes! In fact, would you believe that this mission was accomplished in just fifty minutes?

More info on TCC Witnessing Workshops

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Our Prayer Pulse for June

Let’s continue partnering together to keep our prayer pulse for TCC and the Church in Canada strong!

This month we humbly ask you, your family, and your church to remember to pray for the fruitfulness and protection of our families and ministry together throughout this busy season of weekly witnessing.

Continue keeping a pulse on our mutual prayer needs

Bookmark our ministry calendar to continue praying for our local missions

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We again thank God for you and for your ongoing partnership in preaching His Gospel in Canada.

For His Glory,

The Cross Current Team

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Donate to our mission in Canada

“In the Studio & On the Street” (2-part)

Join The Cross Current “In the Studio and On the Street” for another encounter in everyday evangelism. In Part 1, we take you into the studio of Grace 105.9 FM in London, Ontario to talk about witnessing with Pastor Norm Millar of Harvest Bible Chapel. In Part 2, you will experience an encounter in “wireless witnessing”; a Gospel conversation from the studio to the street via cell phone in real-time with a non-Christian! The clips are raw, the conversations are real, and this is what happens when we step out in faith to share our faith together.

TCC TV | “In the Studio & On the Street” – Part 1 from The Cross Current on Vimeo.

TCC TV | “In the Studio & On the Street” – Part 2 from The Cross Current on Vimeo.

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“GO Team Go!” (2-part)

The Cross Current exists to equip the Church to engage the culture. One way we do that is by helping pastors develop and deploy Gospel Outreach “GO” Teams to reach out to their communities with the Gospel and good works. In this series, we joined frontline forces with the GO Team of Harvest Bible Chapel in London. In Part 1, we encountered a special guest named “Tim” and in Part 2, the Lord brought us a young man named “Patrick” to speak share Him with.

TCC TV | “GO Team Go” – Part 1 from The Cross Current on Vimeo.

TCC TV | “GO Team Go” – Part 2 from The Cross Current on Vimeo.

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“Bad Cop/Good Cop…on Good Friday!”

What better day of the year to share the Good News than Good Friday? But, unfortunately, the two policemen who moved us off a public street corner this past April 2nd didn’t share our enthusiasm for preaching the Gospel open air to the lost of London, Ontario. Join The Cross Current local missions team for this raw and unedited encounter in everyday evangelism.

TCC TV | Bad Cop/Good Cop…on Good Friday! from The Cross Current on Vimeo.

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“Fishing with Farmers” (2-part)

In this series of The Cross Current, we eavesdrop in on more encounters in everyday evangelism but this time at a local farmers market. Not only did we engage several non-Christians with the Gospel, but by God’s grace we encouraged a few Christians as well. In fact, one Christian restaurant owner onsite was so blessed by our ministry at the market that he extended a “once in a lifetime” offer that we had never heard before and will likely never hear again. “If someone comes to Jesus, I will give them a free burrito!” Who can refuse Eternal Life AND a burrito? In Part 1 of this series, TCC Field Rep, Chris, finds a lost friend named Croatio and shares the Good News that he’s found since high school. In Part 2, Cory enjoys a powerful conversation about life, death, and eternity with a precious lady named Patricia.

TCC TV | “Fishing with Farmers” – Part 1 from The Cross Current on Vimeo.

TCC TV | “Fishing with Farmers” – Part 2 from The Cross Current on Vimeo.

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“Everybody Loves Raymond”

The Cross Current exists to equip the Church to engage the culture. One way we do that is by helping pastors develop and deploy Gospel Outreach “GO” Teams to reach out to their communities with the Gospel and good works. In this encounter in everyday evangelism, Cory seeks shelter from cold winter witnessing and shares the Gospel with “Raymond”, the owner of Fantastic Finds, a new buy and sell store in London, Ontario.

TCC TV | “Everybody Loves Raymond” from The Cross Current on Vimeo.

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“Trails End”

Each week The Cross Current preaches the Gospel in talk and walk and equips the Church to do the same. In this episode, TCC takes shelter from the cold to enjoy a Saturday of warm winter witnessing at a local market called Trails End where Cory encountered “Ashley” the New Ager.

TCC TV | “Trails End” from The Cross Current on Vimeo.

We trust this teaser video will whet your appetite for more XTM Toronto 2010 footage coming soon on TCC TV!

TCC TV | XTM Toronto 2010 – TEASER from The Cross Current on Vimeo.

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Here are a few testimonials from several first-time XTM attendees who joined us in TO:

Recently, myself and 3 other team mates went on a evangelism training in the down town streets of Toronto at Younge and Dundas. This particular training was with Cory and his team, the Cross Current. This was an experience of a life time. Planting seeds in the Lord’s field with not only Cory and his team but other evangelists, it was the best day I think I ever had in my life. The glorious day brought forth people to Christ, as He won them over from the grips of darkness, or just telling the gospel was enough to fill any Christian. This evangelism thing I think is my calling. And by experiencing this with Cory and his team allowed myself to see, hear and feel this. I was born to be used by God to set the captives free and this day that He enabled me to experience was not only a taste of that type of work for the Lord, but it was a command by the Lord saying, for me to do this and this is what I’ve been called to do. Praise God. (Solo Dei Gloria) ~ John B.

The harvest is ready but the laborours are few. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Handing out tracts in downtown Toronto reminded me of the urgency of the gospel. Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. I am a lost sinner saved by grace. Praise be to God for is only Him who can water the soil in a person’s heart and bring them to repentance. (Romans 8:1) ~ Mike B.

May 15^th 2010 is a day that will have a lasting effect on my life and Christian witness. The XTM team has made it to downtown Toronto! As the team prepares to engage the culture in a cosmic battle for lives, I was full of fear at the prospect of witnessing to people about Jesus Christ. Well who won’t be?  Right? Let me share with you a few of the things God showed to me during the day in Toronto. In 1 Corinthians 2:3-4 Paul writes “I came to you in weakness and fear with much trembling.  My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive works, but with a demonstration of the spirits’ power…” Even Paul was filled with fear just like I was but spiritual rescue is completely a God thing!! God showed this to be true to me throughout the day as I talked with people. As I spoke, the words came with an ease and a flow that I normally don’t have. The Holy Spirit was speaking through me and I was in awe after each conversation. Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…”  John 6:44.  Hod showed me that He will do the persuading we just do the presenting.  As the Gospel was presented in Toronto I met a range of people from those who were hardened to the Gospel to those who had a humble heart and spirit and were receptive to the Good News of Jesus Christ.  God convicted me that I needed to be faithful in presenting the Gospel and praying for these individuals and leave the rest up to Him. ~ Duane C.

When I signed up to go to Toronto with the Cross Current in May, I knew that I would be challenged, and I sure was, but not how I thought I’d be.  I was faced with my own pride, self-consciousness and fear, but I was challenged to be bold and to trust.  Be bold because what am I really afraid of?  And trust because I’m not an eloquent speaker with the art of persuasion, but I do have the truth, and, in spite of me, God will use His truth to speak to people.  All that He requires of me is to be faithful and obedient. ~ Ange S.

What a great day. I was terrified as usual but when I gave this fear up and relied on the truth that the Holy Spirit is in control. I have become use to going out with others on the streets but being on my own was a real stretch. I found that I was not alone in my apprehension. Everyone was nervous but anxious to get out and shared the truth of God’s gospel. I was amazed at the atmosphere on the street. We have been blessed in Canada with freedoms that other brothers and sisters in the Lord do not have. I feel that we need to take advantage of this before it is gone. The level of hurt and despaired I witnessed was disturbing. The need is truly great in preparing the ground (prayer) and planting the seed (witnessing). Despite this I have found that one of the greatest blessings is the privilege of sharing the gospel to the lost. I find it hard to explain but say but I believe it is the “Joy of the Lord”. ~ Bill D.

We thank God for each and every witnessing warrior who helped make XTM Toronto such a fruitful team mission!

Until the nets are full,

Cory

These simple outreach resources will allow you to witness to your loved ones using the same basic tools that our field reps use throughout the production of each radio series.

“Here Comes the Bride” – June 2010 | Producer’s Notes & Listener’s Script

Follow the simple download instructions below to access these TCC Radio outreach resources. We pray they will help unify your church in Gospel and allow you to make the most of reaching out to non-Christians with the Good News of Jesus Christ!

The Church – Producer’s Notes (Download: Right-click, “Save as”)

Producer’s Notes presented by: Kevin Lane – TCC Radio writer & producer

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The Church – Listener’s Script (Download: Click, save, and print)

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Left: The XTM Toronto 2010 mission team

We praise God that He allowed thousands of lost souls to receive Gospel tracts and hear the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ through one-to-one witnessing and open air preaching.

We are also very thankful for the new team members who joined us on the mission. We trust that God will honour your faithfulness by using this experience to catalyze you into a life of greater humility and boldness for Him.

In reflection of what God did in us and through us this past weekend, I want to briefly share a very encouraging word that I received from the Lord during my “download” time with Him yesterday morning…

God has really been stirring in me a humility and hunger to be more faithful in open air preaching. So I am (again) making my way through the book of Acts to study the subject of preaching in more detail.

Right: Ange shares the Good News with a fast-talking Torontonian

As I made my way through the first couple chapters this morning, I was immediately struck by Acts 2:5: “Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven”. While I fully understand that this is particularly a Jewish context, I really believe that the Lord wants to use this verse to encourage our team concerning our trip to Toronto this past Saturday.

Left: Cory breaks the sound barrier open air preaching with the help of Mike the “mortified” missionary (under the sheet)

Do you realize that Toronto is now being called one of the most multicultural cities in the entire world right now? Have you ever thought about the fact that with every tract that was passed, every one-to-one that was had, every open air message that was preached, we were actually part of a worldwide witness? Just think of how many nations heard the Good News of Jesus Christ this past Saturday just because God empowered a little team of holy hooligans to preach His Word?

Right: Cameraman and evangelist Brad Young confronts two young men about the weightier matters of life, death, and eternity

WOW! I don’t know if that hits you like it hits me…but praise the Lord that He is still saving people from every nation, tribe, and tongue in these last days!

PS: Click here for more great pictures of this mission!

For His Glory,
Cory